Return of the Seminarians

As I have written about previously here at Liturgy Guy, the Catholic Church in America is currently experiencing an increase in seminarians. This resurgence of young men who are responding to God’s call bodes well for the future, while serving as a source of hope for today. It is interesting to see where many of our seminarians are coming from by taking a closer look at which dioceses are fostering vocations to the priesthood.

The Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska
Currently the diocese has 47 young men in seminary despite having only 134 parishes and less than 98,000 Catholics. The Diocese of Lincoln has long been recognized (on a per capita basis) as a leader in producing vocations to the priesthood.

For over 20 years Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz created an oasis of orthodoxy in the heartland of America. The diocese is known for its refusal to permit girls to serve at the altar, a strong support of the Traditional Latin Mass, many Catholic schools (including 6 high schools), multiple religious orders, as well as being home to the North American Seminary for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP). The success of Lincoln continues following the installation in 2012 of its ninth bishop, the Most Reverend James D. Conley. Which brings us to the next success story.

The Diocese of Wichita, Kansas
Currently Wichita has an astounding 59 young men in seminary. It is interesting to note that back in the 1990’s the chaplain for the Newman Center on the campus of Wichita State was none other than Father James D. Conley, now Bishop Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska.

This vocations rich diocese of only 91 parishes was shepherded by Bishop Michael Jackels from April 2005 until May of this year. Prior to his installation as bishop, however, Father Jackels had been a priest in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska under Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, serving at one time as his Assistant Director of Vocations.

The Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona
Prior to Bishop Jackels arrival in Wichita, the diocese had been led by Bishop Timothy Olmstead from 2001 to 2003. However, in 2003 Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Olmstead to the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. Much like in Wichita, Bishop Olmstead has fostered vocations in Pheonix as well. Currently this diocese of only 92 parishes has 27 young men in seminary.

The Diocese of Arlington, Virginia
On the east coast of the United States there are a few more success stores to share, beginning with the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Despite only having 68 parishes, the diocese currently has 38 seminarians. For years Arlington and Lincoln were the only remaining dioceses in the United States to prohibit girl altar servers.

While the Arlington diocese eventually granted permission for girls to altar serve (at the pastors discretion), approximately 60 percent of parishes have maintained the tradition of altar boys only. The reason most frequently cited: to assist with the discernment process and to foster vocations to the priesthood. In addition, the Diocese of Arlington has made the Extraordinary Form of the Mass more widely available to the faithful. Currently there are 12 parishes which offer the Latin Mass on a regular basis.

The Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina
My home Diocese of Charlotte currently has 22 young men in seminary, with approximately 175,000 registered Catholics within the diocese. The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis was installed as the fourth Bishop of Charlotte in August 2003. Immediately following the release of Summorum Pontificum by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, Bishop Jugis sent several priests to learn how to offer the Mass in the Extraordinary Form. In addition, many of our current seminarians are being taught how to offer both forms of the Roman Rite. As our liturgical heritage is rediscovered, and the traditional and sacred beauty of the Church is presented to the faithful, we are experiencing a significant increase in vocations.

Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter
In addition to these diocesan stories there is the also the ongoing success of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP). Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary is home to the Fraternity’s English-speaking candidates and is located in Denton, Nebraska within the territorial boundaries of the previously mentioned Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. The Fraternity has nearly 80 young men studying for the priesthood at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Currently the society has a presence in 34 dioceses in the United States and 6 in Canada. These young men are drawn to the Fraternity, which has a charism to “offer the Sacred Liturgy, including the Holy Mass…as well as the other sacraments in all of their traditional solemnity according to the Latin liturgical books of 1962.”

While these are just a few of the success stories, there are more. At the same time, there are still far too many dioceses that are struggling to foster vocations. I would suggest researching your own diocese to find out how many seminarians you have. Then pray for those young men. In addition, pray for all of the young men still discerning.

Finally, we cannot be surprised by what we find where vocations are abundant. Faithful families. Strong orthodoxy. Beautiful liturgy, often in the Extraordinary Form. In many cases, the venerable practice of male only altar servers, specifically for the purpose of fostering vocations. And always we find people of prayer.

Do you happen to have any parishes offering it within an hour or less? If not, then possibly seek out like minded Catholics and determine if there may be a priest interested in learning and then offering the EF for the faithful.

A good friend of mine here in Charlotte moved down from your diocese about 6 years ago. He has always told me how solid the catechesis, liturgy, formation and vocations are up there. From what I see and here from others, you and I are truly blessed to be in the Arlington & Charlotte dioceses respectively.

If you remember a while back, the number one option on the Forbes list for the “top” happiest jobs was clergy. The numbers of seminarians keeps climbing, which means that the number of future priests are climbing as well. We need Holy, Sacrificial, Loving priests. Pray for more vocations to the priesthood! Invite a young man to consider seminary. Be an example to them! Start vocation initiatives in your parish. Be part of their vocation journey!

Reblogged this on Corey Bruns.com :: "A College Seminarian's website about a little bit of everything…" and commented:
If you remember a while back, the number one option on the Forbes list for the “top” happiest jobs was clergy. The numbers of seminarians keeps climbing, which means that the number of future priests are climbing as well. We need Holy, Sacrificial, Loving priests. Pray for more vocations to the priesthood! Invite a young man to consider seminary. Be an example to them! Start vocation initiatives in your parish. Be part of their vocation journey!

Yes, God bless those men! It is important to note, however, that the Archdiocese of Chicago is made up of 378 parishes and nearly 2.5 million Catholics. In the case of the dioceses I profiled, they have a much higher count of seminarians on a per capita basis. For example, Lincoln has 47 seminarians but less than 100,000 Catholics in total.
Let us all continue to work for a restoration of the sacred, for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and let us help to foster these vocations through such venerable traditions as boys serving altar and reverent liturgy.

Hang in there Chrissy. Find those priests and parishes who support authentic, traditional, Catholicism and start small. As I said at the end of the post:

“Finally, we cannot be surprised by what we find where vocations are abundant. Faithful families. Strong orthodoxy. Beautiful liturgy, often in the Extraordinary Form. In many cases, the venerable practice of male only altar servers, specifically for the purpose of fostering vocations. And always we find people of prayer.”

Another important factor here in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska is that most parishes have strong Eucharistic adoration programs – many perpetual (24/7). Lincoln uses only installed Acolytes and Lectors, too. Interestingly, there is no permanent deacon program.

Actually Bishop Olmstead’s first name is Thomas. He was a priest from the Diocese of Lincoln and was consecrated Bishop on April 20, 1999. Then we had Bishop Robert Vasa, another Lincoln priest, who was consecrated on January 26, 2000, now serving in Santa Rosa, CA. Archbishop Michael Jackels, another priest from Lincoln Diocese was consecrated on April 4, 2005, now in Dubuque, IA. Our latest priest from the Lincoln Diocese is Bishop John Folda who was consecrated,on June 19, 2013 as bishop of Fargo, ND. Our diocese provided four excellent men in 14 years to provide strong leadership for our Church.

3 good bishops and an epic failure. Before anything changes in the diocese of Fargo, they need a major overhaul. They retire almost 40 percent of their clergy. Clergy morale is low and they will have to close 15 to 30 more parishes. If the chancery would have not made a change at the University of North Dakota, that parish would have closed. Folda has zero listening skills and has lost 3 active priests in the last 2 years. This is a mission diocese that needs outside help to sustain itself. Go one diocese west, Bismarck has a strong vocations program. 28 in formation and has rebounded from 7 in formation 25 years ago. Bismarck also will be able to staff their parishes and break clusters in the next 5 years. It helps when they are young, it helps when there are good directors for vocations.